Quinn beats cancer, now helping others

'I'd say to them kick cancer in the head'

Quinn Hautapu has spent the last 10 months at Aucklands Starship Children's Hospital. A massive brain tumor was found that nearly cost her her life. She is now back home and talks about her time there at the hospital.

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She's helping other children "kick cancer in the head", preparing for her next big acting gig and swooning over her celebrity crush in her Bieber cave.

The 8-year-old - who has a lot to say on health, singer Justin Bieber and staying positive - last year spent 44 weeks beating a malignant aggressive brain cancer called Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour.

Now cancer-free, Quinn has been chosen as one of three Child Cancer Foundation ambassadors for 2014.

Quinn's mother Roanne Hautapu said she was thankful her family were able to give back to the foundation after the support they had received.

"We've just been up in Auckland doing a photoshoot for when they do their appeal week in March," she said. "There are three kids that are the face of the appeal. It's really cool that we can give back something after Child Cancer has done so much for us in our journey emotionally, physically and financially."

Quinn said the photoshoot had been the best part of being an ambassador so far but she was excited to help other children in their journeys too.

"It was really cool because I got to meet the other kids and also we got to do photoshoots," she said. "I will help other kids keep on fighting, I would say to them kick cancer in the head."

She also hoped her new role as ambassador may get her a meeting with Shortland Street actress Amanda Billing, who plays Sarah Potts, and an extra role on the soap.

Since Quinn has been released from Starship children's hospital in Auckland in October, she was granted her Make-A-Wish to meet Justin Bieber the following month, and was donated a playhouse from the army.

"The whole Make-A-Wish was awesome, we thought we were getting picked up in a taxi [to go to the concert] and there was a massive limo waiting for us," she said.

"He was so awesome and polite and well-spoken. "I gave him a photo album of me when I had my Justin Bieber birthday party, and he kissed me on the cheek and said I was a cutie, and I forgot all the rest."